The latest iteration for Google’s Android OS has been revealed. Android Q Beta 3 brings a slew of changes and updates to the existing Android eco-system. Google has most importantly focused on improving the privacy features built-in Android Q supported devices. By doing this, Google is addressing the criticism the whole tech industry faces for privacy breach.
Android Q Privacy Features
Additional Location Data Control
Android OS can use a device’s location data to help other apps and the OS itself to provide services relevant to the location. Previously the app management settings could alter the location data permission for the set app. However, the new update can now provide location access indefinitely or only when the app is running.
Offline learning assistant
Google assistant is a flagship software product that provides advanced AI functionalities. The processing power for smartphones has increased every year along with software optimizations from Google. So, Android Q now has enabled a new feature that allows the Assistant to perform simple ‘intelligent’ tasks without using the cloud through your phone only. Hence, it helps in limiting the amount of data shared to the cloud, thereby improving privacy. The feature also makes the Assistant more accessible, where an internet connection isn’t available.
Android Gesture Navigation
As more Android smartphones are moving towards a bezel-less and button free displays, Android has finally introduced a native gesture control system. Previously, these kind of gesture navigations were available via Android skins that other OEMs implemented on top of the stock Android.
How Android Gestures work?
There’s a thin white bar at the bottom of the display in Android Q. To go home, you swipe up the white bar. For accessing the multitasking view, swipe up and drag across the screen. You can swipe across the window to change the apps you are using. Finally, you swipe up from the home screen to access the app drawer. This last gesture is in effect already in most stock Android phones.
More Android Q Supported Devices
The best part about the Android Q OS isn’t its new updates, but its compatibility with older phones. Previously, the new updates were limited to select supported phones. However, this year Android Q is going to support more phones than ever before.
Some of the early devices supporting Android Q are as follows:
- ASUS ZenFone 5Z
- Essential Phone
- Huawei Mate 20 Pro
- LG G8
- Nokia 8.1
- OnePlus 6T
- OPPO Reno
- Realme 3 Pro
- Sony Xperia XZ3
- TECNO SPARK 3 Pro
- Vivo X27
- Vivo NEX S
- Xiaomi Mi 9
- Google Pixel 3
What’s in the name?
Previously, the names of the Android versions have been based on types of desserts. The first one was version 1.15 named Cupcake and the latest one is Android P called Android Pie. However, Android Q’s name is far more hard to predict as there are very few desserts named with the initial letter Q.
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